HEATHER ALE. 



was then placed at the bottom of the vessels through 

 which the warts were run off and acted as a strainer, 

 at the same time imparting to the liquid a peculiar 

 flavor most agreeable to the palate ; hence the favorite 

 tradition of the beer being made from the Heath itself." 



A tradition is also prevalent in the north of Eng- 

 land that the Romans "made a beverage somewhat like 

 beer, of the bells of the Heather," and a large trough 

 cut out of the solid rock at Kutchester is said to have 

 been used in the making of such a drink. 



Descriptions of the passing of the secret have also 

 furnished interesting reading: A tradition prevalent 

 in Wick, described in the "John O'Groat Journal," says : 

 'The name of this place is Garry whin and a tradition 

 exists in connection with it. It says that here the 

 last of the Picts existed. The story goes on to say 

 that the race of Picts was reduced to three persons 

 an old blind man and his two sons. But before con- 

 tinuing the story it is necessary to mention that the 

 opinion still exists that the Picts made ale from 

 Heather, and that it can still be made, only we want 

 the knowledge of any barm or yeast suited for it. 

 Now the Picts were said to have guarded this secret 

 with great care from the race that succeeded them ; 

 and it seems that these three poor Picts were much 

 persecuted by their conquerors who wished to get pos- 

 session of their secret. At last the old man, worried 

 almost to death, by being so frequently urged to 

 reveal what barm would suit 'heather crop/ consented 

 to tell on condition that his two sons should first be 

 put to death. To this proposal his cruel conquerors 

 readily consented. The sons were slain, but the old 



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